Bacon fans pig out at Hops & Hogs charity event

The sold-out Hops & Hogs: Beer and Baconmania was held July 30 at Saint Arnold Brewery. A fundraiser for the Professionals in Culinary Arts, the event featured 30 bacon-infused bites and seven Saint Arnold brews.

Two People’s Choice trophies — topped with shiny pigs — were awarded that night. Dawn Arcieri of One Bite Kitchen was the winner of “Best Professional Bacon Recipe & Presentation” for her bacon-y macaroon. A culinary team from Alvin College took the award for “Best Culinary School Recipe and Presentation” for its bacon caviar and triple bacon mini cupcakes.

More than a dozen restaurants and industry professional participated in the cook-off. Among them was Al Marcus of the Grateful Bread, Susie Jimenez of Trenza (set to open this fall) and Jacques Fox of Artisan’s Restaurant.